He said there was "huge difference in economic framing" between Labour and National, whose strategy involved growing the volume of primary resources produced.

"It's nobody's idea of a strategy that will create high-value jobs and high wages. Labour, by contrast, believes that we need to have a high-value, high-knowledge economy and that rather than just milking more cows we want more money out of every bucket of milk. That requires research, development, innovation and it requires technology."

Managing director of the Technology Investment Network Greg Shanahan welcomed the announcement and said the sector was becoming a "critical part of the debate about growing the economy".

Industry group internetNZ also welcomed the move and said giving Cunliffe the portfolio "shows a healthy respect for the ICT sector, one that it deserves".

Cunliffe also said he was "looking forward to shining some sunlight" on the rollout of the ultra-fast broadband scheme that was requiring the Government to "step over" the Commerce Commission's regulation of the copper broadband market.

The Government signalled it would intervene in this area after Chorus complained that the commission's proposed regulation would hinder the uptake of fibre services being rolled out as part of the UFB scheme.